Matildas defeat Brazil 2-1

The Westfield Matildas have held off a strong challenge from Brazil to record an impressive 2-1 victory in the second match of the two game series at Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre today.

The Westfield Matildas have held off a strong challenge from Brazil to record an impressive 2-1 victory in the second match of the two game series at Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre today.

Australia were never outplayed in Sunday-s 1-0 loss to Brazil and upped the ante in today-s much dryer fixture, giving them confidence leading into their AFC Asian Cup campaign in Vietnam next month.

After skipper Kate Gill opened the scoring in the first half with header from a corner, Brazil equalised early in the second half before Australia sealed the match winner in the 81st minute through substitute Michelle Heyman.

The Matildas showed their intent from the opening whistle - midfielder Tameka Butt striking a powerful shot inside sixty seconds after Lisa De Vanna made a pacey run down the left wing, only to be denied by a strong save by Brazilian goalkeeper Thais Picarte.

In the 18th minute, Elise Kellond-Knight played a quick one-two with De Vanna from a corner but her shot flew just high of the crossbar as the away side lacked the fluency in the final third that they showed during their victory on the weekend.

The away side-s best chance of the half came just shy of the half hour mark as the Matildas were forced to clear their lines twice from a corner as Rosana Augusto pounced on a rebound inside the six yard box after well-taken corner from the Brazilians.

But it was Australia who had the better chances in front of goal in the opening stanza and their perseverance paid off in the 37th minute as they took the lead through their captain.

Kellond-Knight floated an inch-perfect corner towards the penalty spot with Kate Gill rising highest to head home - Thais got a touch to the header but couldn-t keep the ball out of the net.

Brazil-s Tamires Gomes skewed a left-footed strike wide of Davey-s post in the dying stages of the first half and it was the left-back that drew the Samba Queens level just eight minutes after the half-time break.

She was played in by Moraildes Mota and after Davey came off her line, Tamires delicately chipped the Australian ‘keeper inside the six yard box.

Momentum swung back and forth as the match continued but it was the home side with the clearer cut of the goal-scoring opportunities with De Vanna butchering a golden chance in the 67th minute to give the Matildas the advantage once more.

Substitute Michelle Heyman made a strong run into the penalty area and played the ball across to the Boston Breakers striker who failed to get enough power on her strike to trouble Thais.

It was Heyman who put Australia back in the lead in the final 10 minutes of the match, evading the offside trap and rounding the Brazilian custodian to put the ball into the open goal where two on-running defenders weren-t able to clear it away.

The only blip on the night was an injury to livewire Butt - the Brisbane Roar midfielder will have scans on her ankle tomorrow after she was stretchered off in the 65th minute.